Life's a Beach

German artist Ha Schult sought out creating the Beach Garbage Hotel as a reflection of our era and a shocking, yet peculiar way of bringing attention to the poor state of our oceans and beaches. Made entirely of recycled waste collected from European beaches, flea markets, and dumps, the five-room hotel, located in Plaza de Callao, was constructed to coincide with the annual International Tourism Fair held in Madrid, just in time to warn tourists that “the oceans of our planet are the biggest garbage dump” (Schult, Agence France Press). After gathering 12 tons of garbage to complete this temporary art installation, one cannot help but realize Schult’s dire message on the impact we have on our environment and where these centers of tourism lay in the future if nothing is done to thwart the major ecological problems we face today.